Welcome to our award-winning museum, home of the region's taonga and other treasures.
There's something for everyone at MTG Hawke's Bay, home of the region's taonga and other treasures. Explore the artefacts in the Maori gallery and discover the remarkable story of the region's recovery following the devastating earthquake of 1931. The museum also showcases changing exhibitions of art, culture and social history. MTG's Century Theatre features a varied programme of events, film, live theatre and music. You'll also find fun, interactive activities for children, a weekend Drop-In Zone, workshops for young and old alike, and school holiday programmes are offered throughout the year. Our exhibitions are drawn primarily from the Hawke's Bay Museum's Trust collection. Permanent exhibits on the 1931 earthquake and the region’s stunning Taonga Māori artifacts are supported by changing exhibitions in other gallery spaces. The museum's Main Foyer also boasts an ever-changing canvas for murals, sculptures and more.
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Turuturu are weaving pegs used to keep a garment off the ground when it is being made. The main peg is the right one and can be elaborately decorated. It represents the mana of Te Whare Pora—the knowledge-bank of the art-form. The peg itself upholds the mana of the growing garment and it...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 17 May
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Silver, valued for its rarity and attractive lustre, has for centuries been mined and formed into an extensive range of domestic, personal, religious, and ceremonial objects.
Silver is one of the most versatile and singular precious metals: it is malleable and ductile and has a relatively low...
Date: Friday 3 April to Wednesday 1 July
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Solve a mystery, and learn a little history! Family friendly and fun for all ages, Mystery of History takes you on a journey from the legendary to the magical and from the ancient to the more unusual.
Discover and explore ancient artifacts from around the world, the magician’s bag of tricks,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Tender is the Night: Art Deco, dancing, jazz and the lost generation.
“I want to give a really BAD party. I mean it. I want to give a party where there’s a brawl and seductions and people going home with their feelings hurt and women passed out in the cabinet de toilette. You wait and...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Local artist Lee Olsen began weaving with harakeke over 15 years ago and more recently with hue and making pāke. She draws inspiration from kete, with so many different variations, different whakairo (patterns), different widths of whenu, different colours, different adornments and different...
Date: Saturday 4 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Born and raised in Finland, Vesa-Matti Leppänen moved to New Zealand in 2000. For well over a decade he has been Concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and has earned international recognition as a chamber musician, teacher, adjudicator and soloist.
Vesa-Matti Leppänen has...
Date: Tuesday 7 April
Where: MTG Century Theatre, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Eric Carle's colourful images have been used in over 70 books. Learn about this author/illustrator's artistic techniques and create your own beautiful artwork to take home.
All materials provided. Please wear older clothing.
Age: 8-12 years
Cost: $10.00 (plus booking fees)
Spaces are...
Date: Tuesday 14 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Explore the exhibitions at MTG and get inspired! You'll learn how to use simple carving tools to create your own unique design to take home.
All materials provided.
Age: 8+ years
Cost: $15.00 (plus booking fees)
Spaces are limited, please book online through Eventfinda to secure your place.
Date: Tuesday 14 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Explore different designs around the museum and get inspired! Learn how to use lino cutting and printing tools to create your own kowhaiwhai pattern to take home.
All materials provided.
Age: 8+ years
Cost: $15.00 (plus booking fees)
Spaces are limited, please book online through...
Date: Wednesday 15 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Explore the exhibits at the museum. Discover design and develop your own ideas for making pendants, quotes and waka huia. Take home your clay creation as a memento of your time at MTG.
All materials provided.
Age: 8+ years
Cost: $15.00 (plus booking fees)
Spaces are limited, please book...
Date: Thursday 16 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
The nine stars of Matariki appear in our skies in Pipiri (June), marking the beginning of the Māori New Year. To celebrate this special time we will make a colourful woven star for you to take home.
All materials provided.
Age: 8-12 years
Cost: $10.00 (plus booking fees)
Spaces are...
Date: Friday 17 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Here's your chance to design a practical yet pretty wall hanging. Using natural materials, create an 'any year' reminder of birthdays that doubles as an artwork for you or a friend.
All materials provided.
Age: 8+ years
Cost: $10.00 (plus booking fees)
Spaces are limited, please book...
Date: Friday 17 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Painting Class 1: CHAIN PAINTING TECHNIQUE
Come on in and join Natasha Hanara in the first of four painting workshops and experience a brand new kind of art! Watch in amazement as you are "hypnotized by your painting unfolding before your very eyes!"
You will learn how to properly mix paints...
Date: Tuesday 21 April to Wednesday 22 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Love the legendary creatures in the Mystery of History exhibition?
Come and join us for a fun holiday workshop where we'll show you amazing objects of friendly and fiery dragons and share some stories about them. You'll design your own legendary creature and enjoy a craft activity relating to...
Date: Wednesday 22 April
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Mark Anzac Day with stories told by two prominent kiwis.
Tama Tu captures the humour and heart of six Maori Battalion soldiers as well as the tragedy of the time in short film format by award-winning director Taika Waititi.
In Tides of Blood Sam Neill explores his family’s military...
Date: Saturday 25 April
Where: MTG Century Theatre, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Turuturu are weaving pegs used to keep a garment off the ground when it is being made. The main peg is the right one and can be elaborately decorated. It represents the mana of Te Whare Pora—the knowledge-bank of the art-form. The peg itself upholds the mana of the growing garment and it...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 17 May
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Silver, valued for its rarity and attractive lustre, has for centuries been mined and formed into an extensive range of domestic, personal, religious, and ceremonial objects.
Silver is one of the most versatile and singular precious metals: it is malleable and ductile and has a relatively low...
Date: Friday 3 April to Wednesday 1 July
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Solve a mystery, and learn a little history! Family friendly and fun for all ages, Mystery of History takes you on a journey from the legendary to the magical and from the ancient to the more unusual.
Discover and explore ancient artifacts from around the world, the magician’s bag of tricks,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Tender is the Night: Art Deco, dancing, jazz and the lost generation.
“I want to give a really BAD party. I mean it. I want to give a party where there’s a brawl and seductions and people going home with their feelings hurt and women passed out in the cabinet de toilette. You wait and...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Join us for a 'behind the scenes' tour of household appliances and labour-saving devices. From butter churns to bean slicers, egg beaters to electric mixers, we track the changes in domestic design and technology through objects and archives in the collection.
Tickets: $10 | $5 Friend of MTG....
Date: Tuesday 12 May
Where: Offsite Storage Ahuriri, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Silver, valued for its rarity and attractive lustre, has for centuries been mined and formed into an extensive range of domestic, personal, religious, and ceremonial objects.
Silver is one of the most versatile and singular precious metals: it is malleable and ductile and has a relatively low...
Date: Friday 3 April to Wednesday 1 July
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Solve a mystery, and learn a little history! Family friendly and fun for all ages, Mystery of History takes you on a journey from the legendary to the magical and from the ancient to the more unusual.
Discover and explore ancient artifacts from around the world, the magician’s bag of tricks,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Tender is the Night: Art Deco, dancing, jazz and the lost generation.
“I want to give a really BAD party. I mean it. I want to give a party where there’s a brawl and seductions and people going home with their feelings hurt and women passed out in the cabinet de toilette. You wait and...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
In great demand internationally, world renowned Calefax Reed Quintet are one of the most dazzling wind ensembles performing at present. This close-knit ensemble of five reed players draws music from eight centuries of repertoire to create unique arrangements: from early music to classical and jazz...
Date: Wednesday 10 June
Where: MTG Century Theatre, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Silver, valued for its rarity and attractive lustre, has for centuries been mined and formed into an extensive range of domestic, personal, religious, and ceremonial objects.
Silver is one of the most versatile and singular precious metals: it is malleable and ductile and has a relatively low...
Date: Friday 3 April to Wednesday 1 July
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Solve a mystery, and learn a little history! Family friendly and fun for all ages, Mystery of History takes you on a journey from the legendary to the magical and from the ancient to the more unusual.
Discover and explore ancient artifacts from around the world, the magician’s bag of tricks,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Tender is the Night: Art Deco, dancing, jazz and the lost generation.
“I want to give a really BAD party. I mean it. I want to give a party where there’s a brawl and seductions and people going home with their feelings hurt and women passed out in the cabinet de toilette. You wait and...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Solve a mystery, and learn a little history! Family friendly and fun for all ages, Mystery of History takes you on a journey from the legendary to the magical and from the ancient to the more unusual.
Discover and explore ancient artifacts from around the world, the magician’s bag of tricks,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Tender is the Night: Art Deco, dancing, jazz and the lost generation.
“I want to give a really BAD party. I mean it. I want to give a party where there’s a brawl and seductions and people going home with their feelings hurt and women passed out in the cabinet de toilette. You wait and...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 30 August
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Winner of the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin Competition Anna Im and beloved New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge come together for a concert of works by Mozart, Beethoven, Wieniawski and Clara Schumann. This is a celebration of the beauty of the violin and piano, and a chance to support...
Date: Tuesday 4 August
Where: MTG Century Theatre, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This year the New Zealand String Quartet are celebrating a massive composer with a massive tour. The 2020 National Tour brings Beethoven back on his 250th birthday, travelling throughout New Zealand between June and October. This is your chance to rejoice in these charismatic and distinctive works,...
Date: Wednesday 12 August
Where: MTG Century Theatre, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
If the bar for quartet excellence was already set stratospherically high, the UK’s Doric String Quartet has surely launched it into orbit. Founded in 1998, the Quartet has firmly established itself as the leading British string quartet of its generation, receiving enthusiastic responses from...
Date: Monday 12 October
Where: MTG Century Theatre, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
Rongonui – Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events), shares significant Māori taonga, treasures, relating to famous people, places and events.
Learn about major rangatira, chiefs, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles,...
Date: Friday 3 April to Sunday 1 November
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
“The outline of the hill turned into a giant serpent as it heaved up and down. The shock wave swept across it, creating a monster crossing the skyline.” - NG Bailey
At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a devastating earthquake struck Hawke’s Bay. In that moment it seemed the end of the world had...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
This stunning exhibition features a broad range of historic and contemporary taonga from the collection of the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi.
Translated as 'always here', Tēnei Tonu shares diverse stories of local Iwi Ngati Kahungunu and their enduring connection to the...
Date: Friday 3 April to Thursday 31 December
Where: MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne
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While every endeavour has been taken by the MTG Hawke's Bay to ensure that the information on this website is
accurate and up to date, MTG Hawke's Bay shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or
indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith.
Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant
government agencies. MTG Hawke's Bay cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content.
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information or material is copyright to the respective provider.
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